Moraine Lake in Alberta, Canada
marble caves in Torres del Paine in Chile
village in Lofoten, Norway
Caribbean reef sharks
Ise Mie in Japan
the Grand Canal in Trieste, Italy
a boat crossing the Baral River in Bangladesh
Lake Yogo in Shiga, Japan
Kumano Nachi Grand Shrine and waterfall in Japan
epic wave in ocean
fog over a waterfall in Niigata, Japan
wanaka tree growing in a lake in Otago, New Zealand
adelie penguin on iceberg in Antarctica
village on Tadami River in Fukushima, Japan
floating market in Bangkok, Thailand
moss forest in Yakushima, Japan
bikes on bamboo bridge in Quang Nam, Vietnam
fall foliage at lake in Lofoten Islands, Norway
a freediver in a cave in Tonga
lava falling into the sea in Hawaii Volcano National Park
frozen Sea of Okhotsk in Japan
ice fisherman on frozen Lake Gorgova in Romania
cherry blossoms reflection in Hokkaido, Japan
whale in Queensland, Australia
salt lake in Death Valley National Park
Yamuna River in Delhi, India
a pond in Hokkaido, Japan
shops at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore
surfer in wave off Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
fisherman in Dubulti, Latvia
shark in Jardines de la Reina in Cuba
geese in Lake in Conastota, New York
woman with water in Rajasthan Desert in India
1 of 33
Alberta, Canada"My best ever travel experience. I was desperate to come back to Moraine Lake because I had been here twice before as a child on holiday and it had become my favourite memory. Coming back as an adult meant I was able to finally capture in person the views that I'd always seen on postcards and when a woman came to just sit and wonder at the incredible view I knew I had a good shot. The combination of the sheer beauty of Canada and fulfilling a personal dream made this shot my personal favourite."
Photograph by Dave Valler, National Geographic Your Shot

The Wonder of Water in 33 Dreamy Pictures

Let instant calm wash over you with these stellar submissions to the 2017 National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest.

ByNational Geographic Staff
May 25, 2017

We’re hardwired to seek out water. The majority of the world's population today lives near some form, settling along coastlines, bays, or rivers. For vacation, we head to sandy shores or soak in the views of alpine lakes for ultimate relaxation. Divers get an adrenaline rush when exploring underwater worlds. Hikers find complete solace upon reaching a plunging waterfall. Water boosts our minds, spirits, and bodies.

The 2017 National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest is underway, and the entries already reflect this inherent human nature. Many stunning submissions feature watery wonders, from cherry blossoms mirrored in Japan to an undersea scene in Vanuatu. Take a look at some of our editors' favorites so far, then be sure to submit your best shot.

LIMITED TIME OFFER

Get a FREE tote featuring 1 of 7 ICONIC PLACES OF THE WORLD

Go Further